Student Assistant Helping Taxpayer at York College CUNY

A York College student assistant helps an older man review tax documents at a workstation in a bright, modern office setting on the CUNY campus.

“The challenge is not to do what is difficult, the challenge is to avoid what is easy” stated Professor Ernest Gary, who leads the Volunteer Income Tax Assistance Program.

The VITA program was established at York College by Robert Clovey in 2008. The program is part of the national IRS VITA initiative, which has been in operation for more than 60 years and is designed to help individuals who may not have access to or be able to afford professional tax preparation services. 

The program relies heavily on student volunteers, many of whom are accounting majors seeking practical experience in the field. Before assisting taxpayers, students must complete IRS certification and training to ensure they understand current tax laws and filing procedures. Although the students do not receive monetary compensation for their work, they are awarded three academic credits, and many volunteers return year after year to continue gaining experience while serving the community.

VITA focuses exclusively on personal income tax returns and does not prepare taxes for businesses. The program typically serves individuals whose income falls within a certain eligibility range, generally around $6,500 to $7,000, though the income limits at York College are somewhat more flexible to assist more members of the community.

Prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, the York College VITA program was recognized as one of the largest VITA programs in the country. The program continues to make a significant impact; for example, approximately 1,300 tax returns were completed last year alone. This reflects both the high demand for free tax preparation services and the dedication of the student volunteers who help operate the program.

Currently, VITA services connected to York College are offered at three locations to increase accessibility for community members. These sites include York College, Senator Leroy Comrie’s office, and Assembly Member Alicia Hyndman’s office. By providing services in multiple locations, the program ensures that more residents in the surrounding community can receive reliable and free assistance with their tax filings.

The VITA program ends April 11, 2026